Khost Ariana were crowned champions of Afghanistan’s inter-zonal football tournament after defeating Kunduz Piroozi 5-3 in the final in Lashkargah, Helmand Province. The top two teams secured qualification for the sixth edition of the Afghanistan Champions League.
Helmand | By Sayed Wali Noori
Khost Ariana emerged as champions of Afghanistan’s inter-zonal football tournament after defeating Kunduz Piroozi 5-3 in the final held in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand Province, the Afghanistan Football Federation announced.
The 10-day tournament featured six champion teams representing Afghanistan’s six football zones and concluded in the presence of senior officials from the country’s sports administration and football governing body.
Among those attending the closing ceremony were Ahmadullah Wasiq, Director General of the General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports; Technical and Professional Deputy Hafiz Ahmad Jan Zadran; Director of Olympic Affairs Dad Mohammad Payenda Akhtari; Afghanistan Football Federation President Mohammad Yousuf Kargar; members of the federation’s technical committee, Helmand sports officials, and local community leaders.
In the championship match, Khost Ariana defeated Kunduz Piroozi 5-3 to lift the title. Khost Ariana finished the tournament with 12 points to secure first place, while Herat Omar Zwak finished second.
Both Khost Ariana and Herat Omar Zwak qualified for the sixth edition of the Afghanistan Champions League, the country’s premier club football competition.
The Afghanistan Football Federation organized the tournament to determine the two teams that would earn promotion to the upcoming Afghanistan Champions League. The competition brought together the champions from the country’s six football zones and was played over a period of 10 days.
The Afghanistan Football Federation organizes inter-zonal competitions to strengthen domestic football and provide a pathway for regional champion clubs to qualify for the Afghanistan Champions League. The tournament serves as an important step in developing club football across all six football zones of the country.